IS J. L. LECONTE, M. D. 



Dr. Phipson also states that the spectroscopic examination of the light 

 from these varied sources is contained within the space extending from 

 C to a little beyond F, " but its brightest portion lies between E and F, 

 and in most cases this portion only is visible, and the light appears nearly 

 monochromatic. It has no lines nor bands of absorption." 



There are several remarkable phenomena exhibited in various parts of 

 the family which will receive more attention when the materials have 

 been collected, and the student found to prepare a general monograph. 

 They may be briefly stated as follows, for the purpose of guiding 

 observations : 



1. The pupae of the Lycidae are frequently found in large numbers- 

 under loose pieces of bark, suspended closely together by the posterior 

 extremity, each one enveloped in its own larva skin, which is cleft on the 

 pleural lines as usual. Nothing of this kind has been observed in the 

 other two sub-families. 



2. The elytra of certain Lycidas, though useless in flight, are expanded 

 to a degree unknown in any other Coleopterous family. 



3. The sexual differences in the light organs of various genera of 

 Lampyridae have not been properly recorded. They furnish as will be 

 seen in the sequel, good generic and even specific characters. 



4. The enormous vegetative development of the antennal branches 

 in Phengodes, and the entire want of knowledge of the females of 

 any member of the tribe. 



5. The investigation of the relation between the Phengodini of this 

 continent and the Drilini of other regions, with a view to the possible 

 union of the two tribes. 



6. While in the Phengodini we have an enormous development of 

 antennal surface, we have in Malthodes, probably the lowest form in 

 the family, an equally remarkable growth of the sexual appendages 

 of the male. 



Telephoridse have occurred in tertiary strata ;* the geological history 

 of the other two sub-families is unknown. 



Sub-family I.— LYCID^. 



The species of this sub-family are diurnal in habits and are found on 

 the leaves of plants, where they seek their insect food. 



They are known by the middle coxae being rather widely separated 

 by the niesosternum, and by the epipleurae being reduced to a narrow 

 thickened marginal line. Besides these essential characters of defini- 



* Heer, Insecteu fauna . . . (Euingen <fe Eadoboj, 143. 



